How to Dye an Acrylic Jacket

Dissolve the dye in hot water.

Acrylic was developed in 1944 by the DuPont company. It is a synthetic fabric with soft, fine fibers. Some jackets, dresses, carpets and sports apparel are made with acrylic fabric. You can dye a jacket made from acrylic fabric with disperse dyes to produce light to medium shades of color. Before using a disperse dye, check that the jacket's outer layer of fabric, and not its lining, is made from acrylic. Also ensure that the jacket's other materials will not be damaged by the disperse dyeing process.

Things You'll Need

• Scale
• 2 stainless steel pots or Pyrex glass containers
• Thermometer
• Synthrapol fabric detergent
• Dye activator or soda ash
• Wooden utensil
• Rubber gloves
• Apron
• Disperse dye
• Two nylon stockings
• Rubber band
• White distilled vinegar

Instructions

1. Weigh your jacket on a scale.

2. Heat water in a large stainless steel pot until it reaches 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a thermometer to confirm the temperature. Add a half-teaspoon of Synthrapol fabric detergent per pound of fabric and a half-teaspoon of dye activator or soda ash per pound of fabric. Put your jacket in the water. Rinse the jacket by stirring the pot with a wooden utensil.

3. Remove the jacket from the hot water. Wring out some of the water once the jacket has cooled to a safe temperature.

4. Put on rubber gloves and an apron. Wear clothes that you are comfortable damaging.

5. Dissolve the disperse dye in boiling water according to the dye's instructions. Use a Pyrex glass container or stainless steel pot. This pot cannot be used for food in the future. Do not use an aluminum pot.

6. Wait for the dye mixture to cool to room temperature. Stir it with a wooden utensil. This utensil can never be used for food.

7. Stretch two nylon stockings over a Pyrex glass container or steel pot. The container or pot cannot be used for food in the future. Secure the stockings to the container with a rubber band. Pour the dissolved dye into the container to strain it. Remove the stockings from the container.

8. Rinse out the pot that originally contained the dye mixture. Fill it with the amount of water specified in the dye's instructions. Heat the water to the temperature specified in the dye's instructions.

9. Pour the strained dye into the pot of water. Add Synthrapol to the mixture according to the dye's instructions. Wait for it to disperse into the mixture. Add white distilled vinegar according to the dye's instructions. Wait for it to disperse into the mixture. Stir the mixture. Add your damp jacket to the mixture.

10. Increase the heat while stirring according to the dye's instructions. This might take up to 40 minutes.

11. Continue to stir the fabric according to the dye's instructions. This might take up to 60 minutes.

12. Remove the pot from the heat. Wait for the dye bath to cool to the temperature specified in the dye's instructions.

13. Cool the jacket quickly by pouring cold water into the pot.

14. Remove the jacket from the pot. Rinse the jacket until the water runs clear or almost clear. Hang the jacket to dry.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want to produce dark or bright colors, ask a professional to dye your jacket.

• Do not use pots, containers and utensils used for dyeing to prepare food. It is a health hazard.

• Do not touch the jacket when it is hot. You might burn yourself.

• Failing to wear gloves and an apron may result in burns or dyed skin and clothes.

References

• Paula Burch's All About Hand Dyeing; How to Dye Acrylic Fabric; Paula Burch; February 2009
• Textile Fabric Consultants, Inc.: Facts on Acrylic Fabric
• Pro Chemical and Dye: How to Immersion Dye Acrylic with Disperse Dye